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Driver Control. How Does Your Policy Measure Up?
Mike Marinan
Director of Safety and Risk Management
Public Risk Underwriters |
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One of the largest exposures to a public entity’s insurance program is the control and maintenance of fleet operations. There are two major components of a fleet maintenance program, maintenance of vehicles and maintenance of drivers. This article addresses the latter.
Any public entity, large or small, that operates a fleet of vehicles should have a driver authorization procedure. The Safety and Risk Management Department has developed six procedural components: |
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Illustration: Leanne Capobianco
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1. Driving Privileges Authorization:
Any operation of public sector vehicles or any operation of personal or non-governmental vehicles while engaged in business outside the course of the entity’s business shall be performed only by authorized personnel. Authorized personnel are approved operators and are designated as having a status allowing driving privileges. All other personnel shall be classified as non-drivers.
2. Determination and Classification of Driver by Status:
Driver status shall be determined at the time of hire by utilizing official Motor Vehicle Reports ( MVR’s) provided by the State of Florida or from whatever state the potential employee has come from. After hire, MVR’s will be ordered once per year for all personnel. A comprehensive review of each authorized driver’s driving habits will be done annually and considers the employee’s current MVR as well as their vehicle safety record while on the job. MVR’s may be ordered for any employee at any time with or without cause.
3. Approved Driver Status:
Qualifications of Approved Driver Status: |
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Having an approved Florida Drivers License |
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Over 21 years of age, but less than 70 years of age |
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No moving violations, infractions, tickets or citations of any kind 36 months prior to the date of hire |
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No infractions, tickets or citations for any of the following within the past 60-month period |
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a. Conviction for an alcohol and/or drug related driving offense |
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b. Refusal to submit to a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) test |
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c. Conviction for reckless driving |
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d. Leaving the scene of an accident as defined by State laws |
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e. Suspension, revocation, or administrative restriction of license privileges |
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f. Driving with a suspended license |
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g. At-fault in a fatal accident |
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h. Vehicular homicide |
Conditions of Approved Driver Status: |
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Obtain and review employee’s MVR every 12 months |
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The employee must notify his supervisor of any new violations |
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Driving privileges will be suspended immediately for additional violations disqualifying the employee of an “Approved Driver” status. A revised status must be determined. |
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Drivers operating personal vehicles while conducting government business shall maintain automobile liability insurance limits of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage. |
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Personal vehicles operated while conducting government business shall be maintained in safe operating condition. |
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4. Probationary Driver Status:
Qualifications of Probationary Driver Status: |
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Having prior “Approved Driver” status |
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Accumulation of more than 6 but less than 12 points in any 36-month period after date of hire |
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First conviction after date of hire for any alcohol and/or drug related driving offense and/or conviction for reckless driving |
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More than 1 but less than 4 preventable automobile physical damage claims after date of hire, whether cited or not, in any 36-month period |
Conditions of Probationary Driver Status: |
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Probation shall begin immediately upon discovery of violations |
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Continues until the employee re-qualifies for “Approved Driver” status or digresses to “Non-driver” status |
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Three-month review of MVR’s for the duration of the probationary period |
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Additional violations suspend driving privileges and disqualify “Probationary Driver” status |
5. Drivers No longer Qualifying Under Any Status:
In the event an employee no longer qualifies under any status, all driving privileges will be revoked. The driver will not be authorized at any time to operate any governmental vehicles and/or certain equipment, or any non-governmental vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the public entity. This action may result in the transfer of the employee to a non-driving position, if such a position exists and/or is available, or the employee may be subject to dismissal procedures.
6. Re-entry to Approved Driver Status or Probationary Driver Status:
Qualified employees may re-apply for “Probationary Driver” status after one year of “Non-driver” status. Qualified employees may re-apply for “Approved Driver” status after one year of “Probationary Driver” status.
Having clearly defined policies and procedures often takes away any of the guess work when difficult decisions need to be made. The maintenance of your driving employees is every bit as important as the maintenance of the vehicles and equipment they drive. Please feel free to call if you would like a review of your policy, 321.832.1450. Printable Copy |
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©2005 Program Management Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved |
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